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Setting up Beam on a TV with no HDMI ARC or optical out.

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Hi,
I know that a lot of folks have been asking about this so I apologize for adding to the chorus but I’m trying to set up a Beam on a TV that doesn’t have HDMI ARC or an optical output. I’ve read a few different posts and seen a few different solutions so I’m hoping to get some clarity. I’ve seen some folks recommend an HDMI switch device like the Monoprice. I’ve seen other folks recommend a coax to optical cable. Attached are pictures of what I’m working with for my TV. Pictures include a picture of what my TV has for audio outs and another picture of the audio outs as it is currently set up (currently have a cable box going into the tv as well as an Apple TV). For whatever it’s worth my TV is a RCA 42pa30rq.
Any help would be much appreciated!
Thanks!
Nick

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AjTrek1Answer

Hi Nickfr84

It a common mistake so don't feel as though you missed Connections 101 😉. The connections; to an extent, and cables (white, red and yellow) shown in the picture are incorrect. So let's get you on the right track.

Take a look at the picture I've inserted as it correctly labels the connections you are trying to use. At this juncture all you need is the Digital Out connection. Digital Out (or In) can come in two forms requiring the use of one of the cables below. It appears your is the latter (click both links for a visual):

3.5mm Digital Cable
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Braided-Auxiliary-compatiable-Headphone/dp/B07PTPFSQF/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=3.5mm+digital+cable&qid=1561347992&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1

RCA-Type Digital Cable *
https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Digital-Audio-Coaxial-Cable/dp/B01D5H8TS4/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=digital+rca+cable&qid=1561349277&s=gateway&sr=8-3

After selecting the appropriate cable you'll need a Digital to Optical Converter as shown in the link:

Digital to Optical Converter **
https://www.amazon.com/VANDESAIL-Optical-Coaxial-Converter-Bi-Directional/dp/B07CKZCHX5/ref=sxbs_sxwds-stvp?keywords=digital+optical+converter&pd_rd_i=B07CKZCHX5&pd_rd_r=6653ebf7-108a-4d54-8e72-62106c7e60e7&pd_rd_w=U1AnK&pd_rd_wg=Cnkr6&pf_rd_p=a6d018ad-f20b-46c9-8920-433972c7d9b7&pf_rd_r=PPNN7BY7PHFZT937SV9R&qid=1561347740&s=gateway

Your connections would be:

Digital Cable from Digital -Out of TV to Digital Input of Converter
Optical Out of Converter to Beam
Video source to HDMI inputs (TV will process video and send the audio to digital-out)

The Beam comes with and HDMI cable and an Optical adapter. Attach the optical adapter to one end of the HDMI cable which would be inserted into the optical-out of the Digital to Optical converter box. Attach the remaining end of the HDMI cable to the Beam. Follow the instructions in the Sonos app to complete the Beam setup.

You will most likely have to enter your TV's Audio Menu and set the sound to digital-out. Your choices may be Dolby Digital (DD.51), PCM (Stereo) or others. Select Dolby Digital if available; if not select PCM. Other choices or variations of Dolby Digital will not work.

Note: Using the Beam with the optical adapter negates voice assistance. Therefore, (although more expensive) you may want to consider a Playbar or Playbase. The Playbase is AirPlay2 capable (just like the Beam).

* Analog and Digital cables of this type look very similar in appearance. Be sure that the cable is labeled as Digital on the packaging.
** The Digital Converter box in the example comes packaged with a digital rated cable (RCA-type).

I hope this helps to clear up any confusion about the Beam. Feel free to post back with more questions.

Cheers!

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

Show previous replies

A

andrewgdaly

Lyricist I

I’m trying to connect my beam to an older samsung model with neither of the necessary connectors (ARC or optical) as was the guy above. The model of tv can be found here with the list of inputs. https://www.samsung.com/us/video/tvs/UN40D5003BFXZA-specs and the back is pictured here.

Since there is no “coaxial” or “digital out” anywhere i’m unclear as to what converter and cords I would need - trying to figure it out based on the answer to the first answer above. Some further clarity would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Andrew

Airgetlam

Basically, you need to pull the audio out of the HDMI before it reaches your TV. Which implies something along the lines of an HDMI switch with an optical output. Something along the lines of (for example, not a recommendation)

https://www.amazon.com/iArkPower-Optical-Extractor-Splitter-Supports/dp/B01K7BZ1XC/ref=sr_1_3?

They come in a variety of numbers of inputs, remotes, etc, the key thing is you want that optical output on it, so you can connect your Sonos to it. Then you just connect all your HDMI devices to the input(s), and the TV to the output, and the Sonos to the optical output.

Bruce

A

aaamanda

Lyricist I

Hi guys, same problem as above - new Beam with no HDMI arc or optical. I purchased all the products listed in the first response (digital to analog converter) and it still doesn’t work!

Set up is:

TV - 3.5mm AUX - Converter - Optical Cable connected to HDMI - Beam

TV is a Bush DLED50265FHD which isn’t THAT old but I just can’t figure out what’s wrong - any help is much appreciated otherwise I may sadly have to return the Beam (not interested in buying a new TV just yet)

Thanks!

W

WandB

Enthusiast I

Consider using an Arcana unit from HDfury.

J

johnnyringo

Lyricist I

Sorry to jump on this post if in wrong place but I have an old tv with no optical or arc hdmi like above and decided to try the arcana before buying a new tv.

With arcana connected I’m still not able to complete the home theater TV setup as it won’t recognize it.

Looking on the hdfury website it mentions you need to complete beam/arc setup on a cec capable display before it will work. This seems to defeat one of the main objects of the arcana device that it will enable older tv’s to work with beam and sonos arc.

I’m not overly technical so hopefully I’m doing something wrong but has anyone got any suggestions?

M

mchann2

Lyricist I

Hi All,

I’ve been following this chain because I also have an old TV with no HDMI ARC or optical outputs. I bought a converter as suggested and have connect my Beam as follows:

HDMI to optical convert connected to digital audio converter output.
Coaxial cable connected to digital audio converter input.
Coaxial cable connected to TV.

After doing this I still do not get sound out of my Beam and am not able to set it up for TV audio in the app. Any idea where I went wrong?

Thanks!

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